Commercial English - Vocabulary

 accordance (in accordance with)   account   accounting error   acknowledge (to)   address   addressee   advance (in advance)   advance payment   advice of payment   after-sales service   agreement   air freight   air waybill   amount due   apology   apply (to apply for)   approval (on approval)   as from   balance (financial)   bank account   bill of exchange   bill of lading   blank cheque   branch   brand   brisk trade   business (on business)   buyer   cancel   cargo   carriage free   carriage paid   to dispatch to   draft   duly signed   due date   dutiable   duty free   to enclose   enclosed   enquiry   exchange rate   expenses   extension of payment time   failure to pay   fee   file   firm offer   free of charge   goods   to grant a discount   to be grateful   hereby   inadequate packing   included   initial order   to inquire   inquiry   insurance   introductory price   invoice   to invoice   leaflet   liability   liable   to mention   as mentioned   money order   to negotiate   net price   obliged   opportunity   order   orderform   overdraft   overdue   overdrawn   payable by you   to postpone   preferential rate   prior notice   profit margin   purchase   quarterly   quotation   to quote a price   range   rate   ready for despatch   receipt   recipient   to recommend   with reference to   to refund   registered letter   reimbursement   remittance   to renew   repeat order   replacement   on request   to request   requirement   respite   to retail   retail price   reward   sales   sample   to satisfy a requirement   under separate cover   to ship   shipment   to be short-listed   to sign   sold out   spare parts   statement of account   to have something in stock   in storage   to store   to subscribe   substantially reduced   supplier   survey of damage   terms   terms of payment   trade fair   bank transfer   turnover   undermentioned   unfortunate   unit price   unsaleable   valid   value   warehouse   warrant   waybill   wholesale   within a week/month   General words A - L  M - Z   A   action   to agree with somebody/someone   ambiguous   ambiguity   an extract from   attitude   author, writer   B   ... is based on ...   C   cause   chapter   characteristics   characterization   climax   composition, structure   conception   content   contradiction   course   current   D   dialogue   E   to emphasize / to underline / to stress   ending   exposition   F   feature   final part, conclusion   first-person narrator   form and contents of the text   H   heading / headline   headline   I   impression of   a piece of information   L   interior monologue   leading article, editorial   main / principal / central idea   main character/ principal character   main part   main plot   monologue   N   narrator   novel   O   outlook   P   paragraph, section   plot   position   pun / play on words   R   repetition   report, account   S   setting   short story   speech sound   stanza / verse   starting point   stress / emphasis on   stylistic device / stylistic means   subheading   subject-matter   subplot   summary   survey   sympathy   T   the text says that   thesis/theses   this word evokes   to agree with somebody/someone   to emphasize / to underline / to stress   to play an important role   to relate to   to rhyme   to say that / to think that / to believe that / to have the opinion that / to take the view   transition   Vocabulary - Common errors Correct phrase  Common error   We live in a village near Hamburg.  We live in a village by Hamburg.   Frank stayed at my place last weekend.  Frank stayed by me last weekend.   I stayed at my grandmother's (house) during the Easter holidays.  I stayed by my grandmother during the Easter holidays.   Emily lives with her mother.  Emily lives by her mother.   Here are some correct phrases: Correct phrase   I took my sister by the hand.   We travelled by night.   I live by the sea.   become, get, go, turn The words "become", "get", "go" and "turn" are not always used correctly. We've listed some phrases which are wrong and some which are correct. Always use a good dictionary if you're not sure. correct phrase  common error   I got a present from him.  I became a present from him.   When do I get my steak?  When do I become my steak?   He got a shock when he saw his car.  He became a shock when he saw his car.   The tea does him good.  The tea becomes him good.   I want to become a teacher.  I will a teacher.   He became famous.  He would famous   We became friends.  We were friends.   It became clear that she wanted to leave.  It would clear that she wanted to leave.   It's getting dark.  It will dark.   He turned red.  He was red.   She went white when she saw the accident.  She was white when she saw the accident.   The word "get" is very common in spoken English, "become" is more formal. German native speaker sometimes use "become" in an incorrect way. The word "eat"The words "eat" and "food" are not always used correctly. We've listed some phrases which are wrong and some which are correct. Always use a good dictionary if you're not sure. correct phrase  common error   My mother is cooking the meal.  My mother is cooking the eat.   The food tastes wonderful.  The eat tastes wonderful.   I like Mexican meals.  I like Mexican eat.   Here are some correct phrases: correct phrase   I don't eat fish.   I go to eat at my grandmother's.   Come and eat!   The word "give" Sometimes the word "give" is not used correctly. We've listed some phrases which are wrong and some which are correct. Always use a good dictionary if you're not sure. Correct phrase  Common error   There's a church in this town  It gives a church in this town.   Forget it. No way. That can't be true.  That gives it not.   Whose deal is it?  Who gives now?   What's the matter?  What gives it?   It'll all work out.  That gives it.   Here are some correct phrases: Correct phrase   What are you giving your brother for his birthday?   Don't give up.   He gives Russian lessons at school.   I'll give you £50 for the painting.   Do you give up?   The word "Internet" in English phrases correct phrase  common error   I'm on the Internet.I'm on the Net.  I'm in the Internet.   I surf the Internet.I surf the Net.  I surf in the Internet.   You'll find the information on the Internet.  You'll find the information in the Internet.   In our hotel all rooms have access to the Internet.  In our hotel all rooms have access to Internet.   I use the Internet.  I use internet.   You can buy the book over the Internet.  You can buy the book in the Internet.   I'm online.      The word "Internet" is often written in capital letters. Word order - Common errors 1) Sentences Word order in sentences (subject - verb - object)Word order in sentences (subject - verb - object - place - time)Position of adverbs correct word order  incorrect word order  tip   I was shopping in Leipzig.  I was in Leipzig shopping.  1   He played football yesterday.Yesterday he played football.  He played yesterday football .  2   Dan rode his bike carefully.  Dan rode carefully his bike.  3   He often reads books.  He reads often books.  4a   He is always late.  He always is late.  4b   tip  Be careful!  detailed explanation   1  main verb before place  Word order: subject-verb-object-place-time   2  place before expression of time  Word order: subject-verb-object-place-time   3  object before adverb of manner  Position of adverbs   4a  adverb of frequency before main verb  Position of adverbs of frequency   4b  adverb of frequency after form of to be  Position of adverbs of frequency  
2) Questions correct word order  incorrect word order  tip   Do you play football or handball?  Play you football or handball?  5   When did you see Peggy yesterday?  When did you yesterday see Peggy?  6   tip  Be careful!  detailed explanation   5  Start the question with the auxiliary do.  Questions in the Simple Present   6  Put the expression of time (yesterday) at the end of the question.  Questions in the Simple Past   because, as, since or for Word  Explanation  Example   because  The reason is very important in the sentence, so because comes in the sencond clause of the sentence.  I read this book because I like it.   as  The reason is already known.  As we read, we learn.   since  The reason is already known.(more formal than as)  Since we were in the computer lab, our English has improved.   for  The reason is given at the end of the sentence.  We went to a small restaurant - for we were hungry.   big, great, high, large or tall Word  Explanation  Example   big  large in size, degree or amount  a big stone   great  much bigger than average  a great successa great time   high  measurement from the bottom to the top; greater than normal  a high mountaina high level   large  big in size and quantity  a large countrya large number of people   tall  greater height than average  a tall man   Note: We use high or tall when we talk about buildings.   borrow or lend Word  Explanation  Example   borrow  to take and use sth. that belongs to sb. else  I'd like to borrow your umbrella.   lend  to give sth. to sb. that belongs to you  I can lend you my umbrella.   bring or take Word  Explanation  Example   bring  to come to a place  Can you bring me the Coke, please?   take  to carry or move sth. from one place to another  Can you take the book to the library?   disability, handicap, impairment Word  Explanation  Example   disability  used to refer to an on-the-job injuryOne is "On disability" when they are being paid by their employer while recovering from the injury.  When you are disabled it can be even more difficult to find a job, especially if you have limitation because of your disability.disability benefit = Erwerbsunfähigkeitsrente   handicap  a specific ailment, injury, or infirmity that a person suffers from which limits their abiltity to function in a normal capacityThis is the official term used when the Department of Motor Vehicles issues a special permit to allow the driver to park their car in a designated area, for example.  Handicap parking spaces are restricted to authorized verhicles 24 hours daily.   impairment  the broadest term - it can mean that there is a disability or handicap, OR it can mean that the person has had too much too drink  The man was driving a car while impaired by alcohol.   All three terms are pretty much interchangeable in many instances but most of the time each is used in a certain way.   do, go or play Word  Explanation  Example   do  be active  do the shoppingdo gymastics   go  to go somewhere to do something  go fishinggo sailing   play  a game  play cardsplay handball   electric, electrical, electronic, electronically Word  Explanation  Example   electric*  used with special nouns  My father used to play an electric guitar.   electrical*  used with general nouns  We must save electrical energy.   electronic  adjective  I like electronic music.   electronically  adverb  The report has to be handed in electronically.   * The two words are pretty much interchangeable. hear or listen to Word  Explanation  Example   hear  to be aware of sounds in your ears  I can hear music in Peter's room.   listen (to)  to pay attention to sb./sth. that you can hear  Peter often listens to music when he's at home.   it's or its Word  Explanation  Example   it's  Short/contracted form of it is orit has  It's a boy. (it is) It's been raining for five hours now. (it has)   its  Possessive pronouns never have apostrophes.  England is famous for its castles.   life, live or lives Word  Explanation  Example   live [lɪv]he lives [lɪvz]  to live (verb)  I live in France.Peter lives in Poland.   life [laɪf]lives [laɪvz]  state of livingplural of life  I read a book about the life of Mark Twain.Many people lost their lives in the war.   live [laɪv]  not recorded;not dead  We watched the live coverage of the Formula I.We really saw a live rattlesnake.   look, see or watch Word  Explanation  Example   look  to pay attention, to try to see what is there; seemlook up (e.g. dictionary)  Look at the board, please.You can look up the words in the dictionary.   see  visual impression come to the eyes;understand  Can you see the the blue car over there?I see what you mean.   watch  look for a time; like to look  He watches TV in the evenings.   make or do Word  Explanation  Example   make  to create sth. (you often use your hands)  We make birdhouses every winter.The pupils make a lot of noise in the break.She makes me happy.   do  an action you do not mention by name;mostly mental work;mostly referred to the topic "work"  They do their homework in the afternoon.I often do the shopping in the evenings.   There are no clear rules whether to use "do" or "make": Have a look in a good dictionary, like to OALD, or use make it is more likely to be right.   much, many, a little, a few Countable/uncountable nouns much or many much: uncountable nouns (milk, marmalade, money, time etc.)many: countable nouns (bottles of milk, jars of marmalade, dollars, minutes etc.) Examples:How much money have you got?How many dollars have you got?
a little or a few a little: non countable nouns (milk, marmalade, money, time etc.)a few: countable nouns (bottles of milk, jars of marmalade, dollars, minutes etc.) Examples:He has a little money left.He has a few dollars left. 's - is or has In spoken English the words is and has are sometimes contracted to 's. Have a look at the following examples: 1) He's listening to music. -> He is listening to music. 2) He's listened to music. -> He has listened to music. In sentence 1) the 's is followed by listening. This verb has the ending -ing. It is Present Progressive (is + infinitive + -ing).In sentence 2) the 's is followed by listened. This verb has the ending -ed. It is Present Perfect (regular: has + infinitive + -ed or irregular: has + 3rd column of the irregular verbs).The verb following the 's tells you whether it's is or has. say or tell Word  Explanation  Example   say  to say something (say is followed immediately by a noun clause)If you want to put a personal object after say, use the word to.  Andrew said that he was right.He said to his father that he was right.   tell  to tell someone something (tell is followed by an object noun or pronoun)  Can you tell me the way to the station, please?   Note:In formal situations, the verb must be formed in the past tense. Andrew told me that he was right. Informal it is ok to say:Andrew told me that he is right. Some might say that he was right.  some people believe   It is said to bring good luck.  in the sense of "always"   No one goes home without my say-so.  used as a statement   Let me have my say.  say is used as a noun   see, visit, attend or go to englisch  deutsch  Beispiel   see  to go and see sb./sth.  Come and see us tomorrow.   visit  to go and see sb./sth. (sounds more official)  Lots of tourists visit the Tower every day.   attend  to go regularly to a place  I attend a university.   go to  to go somewhere  I go to university.We go to a party every Friday.   some, any some: affirmative statements, offers, requests and in questions when you expect the answer "yes" any: negative statements, questions Have you got any bananas? No, we haven't got any. But we've got some oranges. there, their oder they're Word  Explanation  Example   there  in, at or to that place  Could you put the books there, please?   they're  short form of they are  They're reading a book.   their  determiner belonging to them  What colour is their car?   These words are homophones and are sometimes confusing for learners of English as a second language.   to, too or two Word  Explanation  Example   to  prepositionbefore an infinitive  He walks to school.They fly to Budapest.I don't know what to do.   too  also, as well sth. is more than necessary  He sings and plays the drums too.This T-shirt is too large.   two  number  We arrived in Rome two hours ago.   when or if Word  Explanation  Example   when  you are sure that something will happen  When I'm in Paris, I'll visit you.(It sure, that I'm going to Paris.)   if  you are not sure that something will happen  If I'm in Paris, I'll visit you.(It not sure, that I'm going to Paris.)   ATTENTION!You can both use when and if when you talk about things that happen repeatedly (in generalizations).If you freeze water, it expands.When you freeze water, it expands.   which or what Word  Explanation  Example   which  You have a limited choice of things.  Which lemonade do you like - green or pink?   what  You have an unlimited choice of things.  What lemonade do you like?   With nouns that refer to people, sometimes which is used - even if there is an unlimited choice.   you're or your Word  Explanation  Example   you're  Short/Contracted form of you are  I'm from Germany and you're from Spain.   your  Possessive Determiner  Have you got your textbook?   Halloween, the time of pumpkins, candies, ghosts, witches and much more, is annually celebrated on 31 October.That's the night before All Saints Day. Its origins date back thousands of years to the Celtic festival of Samhaim or The Feast of the Sun, a most significant holiday of the Celtic year. This day marked the end of summer but also the season of darkness as well as the beginning of the New Year on 1 November. Druids in Britain and Ireland would light bonfires, dance around them and offer sacrifices of animal and crops. The fires were also int